For students at BVH, driving is more than a practical skill; it is an important part of high school life. Cars give students independence and create opportunities to connect with friends. For many, getting a license changes daily routines and social experiences for the better. BVH senior, Maya Delgado, got her license at the earliest possible age which was motivated by both family needs and her personal freedom. “I got my license when I was 16, the earliest day I possibly could. This was because I had to take my siblings around since it was a lot of stress on my parents. It also gave me a lot more freedom, so I put in the effort as fast as I could,” Delgado said.
Though the thought of independence is exciting, learning to drive comes with its challenges. New drivers often face high pressure situations that test their skills. Even experienced students remember the moments that made them nervous, teaching them lessons they carry for life.
“One thing that really scared me was when you have to make an unprotected left. The first time I did it, I did not know that was a thing, so I almost got in a crash,” Delgado said.
Delgado also sees the driving culture at BVH as a mix of students who rush to get their licenses and others who take more time due to personal or family circumstances. Most students want the freedom driving provides, but it comes with responsibilities. Driving, Delgado claims, is a mix of excitement and careful decision making.
“I think there are definitely some people who are a little crazy because I feel like when you first get your license you think you are invincible, but then you realize more that you can’t be as reckless and so then as you get older you see more of the dangers of driving.,” Delgado said.
For juniors, such as Sachi Strut, driving has not been the top priority. She balances schoolwork, extracurriculars and personal commitments before committing to the process of getting a license. Even though she does not drive yet, she understands the independence that a license will provide and the flexibility it can bring to her daily schedule.
“Rather than prioritizing my driving, I would rather prioritize my grades and my extracurriculars. It has never, for me, been a super [large] priority to drive because I have someone that picks me up from school every single day and transportation has never been an issue,” Strut said.
When Strut does start driving, she expects it to make her high school life easier and less stressful. Driving will give her the independence to go places without depending on others. It will also simplify her social life, allowing her to manage time more flexibly.
“I think it will make my high school experience better and a little bit less stressful because I will not have to be worrying about my plans changing and it falling on someone else. If I start driving I could come home at the time that I would [have] wished for,” Strut said.
Meanwhile, senior Isabel Acevedo emphasizes that driving culture becomes especially common in the upper grades. The parking lot quickly turns into a center of activity as students gain their licenses. Driving is not just about freedom; it is about joining a community and the shared experiences of her friends and peers.
“Starting junior year is when driving in high school begins. It is when the culture starts for kids,because that is when everyone starts getting their licenses. I feel like that becomes very normalized with people you are going to the parking lot with and you see all your friends getting in their cars too,” Acevedo said.
While having a license provides independence, it also brings challenges. Crowded parking lots and time sensitive commitments can create stressful moments for students. They must learn to balance the freedom they get from driving with the careful driving and awareness of others.
“I think it is hard to get out of the parking lot. On Mondays I have to get to my volunteering, and I have to run to the parking lot to be one of the first people to leave. If not, I will be stuck in traffic for 20 minutes trying to get out and so that is really stressful,” Acevedo said.
Driving with friends adds a social aspect to the experience. Carpooling allows students to spend time together while sharing responsibility. For many students, the combination of independence and companionship makes driving an enjoyable part of high school.
“My friends do not have licenses, so I drive them around, and they always come in my car with me. Even though I like driving alone, I would rather have my friends in the car with me and listen to music with them, since it makes it more fun,” Acevedo said.
For BVH students, learning to drive changes their high school experience in meaningful ways. It offers independence, strengthens friendships and allows students to make choices for themselves. Driving teaches responsibility, builds confidence and gives students a taste of adulthood.
“I think being able to have my freedom, go out anytime I want and come back anytime I want is amazing. When I am with my friends, my parents let me go anywhere and let me leave and come when I want just because they do not have to pick me up or drop me off. I feel like the freedom of being able to do anything I want is super amazing,” Acevedo said.
